The Foe

If you’ve been following along here on this site or if you know me outside of the WWW, then you probably know I’ve extended my journey’s reach to include a teensy tootle around a large lake. Sure, I could have stuck with simply doing the RFW thing or going to the gym or walking or cycling for leisure, but what kind of challenge would that be?

Don’t get me wrong, I’m determined to continue the Running for Women class and the gym and the walking, but I feel as if I need to do something…more. Since dieting is obviously not for me, I decided to turn my attentions back to the bike, as I had in my younger years.

I’ve long envied the narrow bodied folks that ride the narrower bodied bicycles. Especially those who refer to themselves as ‘cyclists’ and have the resume of miles to back that name up.

What a special little club that is.

I once signed up for an event that would allow me to ride around the lake with the club. I wanted to see what it would take to earn a place in the sea of chamois-bottomed beings. I did not get my answer, however, as I became ill and could not take my place in the ride. And by ‘I became ill,’ I mean ‘I chickened out.’

I mean, that lake is really high up there as far as elevation goes. And it is so large. What a daunting task I found that might be. So much so, I decided to drive the course after it was confirmed the last cyclist had finished.

Since that time, I’ve reevaluated much of what I’m doing in life. I’m taking more chances. I’m getting myself out into the world where there are often other people that I haven’t yet met. I’m reaching just beyond my grasp for things I think I may want or need.

I’m beginning to forget I have a couch.

With the cycling…I’ve been complaining about getting some proper training for years now. And, for all that time, the complaints have been successful in my not taking my bike out. It’s so pretty, after all. I didn’t want to ruin it more than I had when I took my first few falls after its purchase. My bike and I both have scars from early on that I hope will help bind us as one through this upcoming task.

I first started hearing about Team in Training (TNT) more and more about a year ago when a friend joined. With the coaches help, he was able to train for and complete a triathlon. Hearing him speak of the experience is what made me decide to look further into the organization. I signed up to learn more and headed out to the first, informative gathering. Totally before making any commitments, of course.

When I arrived at my destination according to my GPS, I closed my eyes and spun myself around before walking into the gathering. I figured if I was dizzy and disoriented, I might enter the wrong room, thereby proving that my joining TNT was just not meant to be.

I’d be a lot less sore today if that had happened.

What the presenters spoke of was all the good the team and Leukemia & Lymphoma Society (LLS) do for the local community. When I heard ‘local community’ my ears perked up a little more.

Then we heard from some of the people for whom LLS has had a great impact. They talked about the financial and emotional support given by LLS and how much it meant to them as they or someone they knew went through the process of, for some, what seemed like dying in order to live again.

Like almost everyone, some form of cancer has interfered in my life by way of acquaintances and my loved ones.

I, for one, am damn tired of feeling helpless against such a powerful foe.